News - 20/04/14

Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) have announced that Atkins, engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Games, has been officially appointed to project manage the procurement of the harbour infrastructure elements of the Cowes Outer Harbour Project (COHP). The principal component of the infrastructure is the new breakwater which will provide Cowes with a fully sheltered harbour and by providing the resulting protection will enable the subsequent marina development in East Cowes that also forms part of the wider COHP. 

Captain Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master said: “Delivering the Outer Harbour Project for Cowes is the Commission’s most important infrastructure priority and we are therefore delighted to have the expertise and experience of Atkins on board. They are one of the world’s leading engineering and design consultancies.” 

Atkins is the engineering expert behind London 2012 and responsible for the design and engineering of Dean & Reddyhoff’s new 600 berth Portland Marina which will play host to sailing events for the Olympic Games this year. Atkins have now been engaged to provide professional advice and prepare and manage the procurement of the Cowes breakwater construction contact.

Iain Roberts, Associate Maritime Engineer at Atkins commented: “This is a great project to be involved in and adds to our extensive maritime portfolio. We’re really looking to forward to working closely with CHC on what promises to be a world class facility.”

Cowes Harbour Commission, as stated in the CHC Annual Report, are taking the lead in the delivery of the harbour infrastructure works and working closely with the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) to maintain the Outer Harbour Project as one of the priority projects. The HCA will retain responsibility for the procurement of the marina developer/operator. The Commission will tender the harbour infrastructure works for the construction of the outer breakwater, extension to the Shrape breakwater and the dredging of the eastern channel on a full “design and build” fixed price contract.

The Commission remains fully committed to continue communicating and consulting with local stakeholders on behalf of project partners as this important but challenging project moves forward.